Gripping clothes washer



' May 13, 1930. v H. L.. WARD GRIPPING CLOTHES WASHER Filed Aug, 6, 1928 Patented May 13, 1930 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE GRIPPNG CLOTHES WASHER Application led August 6, 1928. SerialY No. 297,836.

This invention relates to a clothes washer, by means of which the clothes may be lifted from one place to another and may be agitated in the water without immersing the hands in the water.

An object of my invention is to provide a clothes washer which will grip the clothes when desired so that they may be lifted or agitated in the water.

Another object is to provide a clothes washer of the character stated, the gripping means of which are manually controlled from the handle of the washer.

A further object is to provide a washer of the character stated, which is simple in construction and effective in operation.

Other objects, advantages, and features of invention, may appear from the accompanying drawing7 the subjoined detailed description, and the appended claims.

ln the drawing Fig. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of my washer. l

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the washer with the gripping fingers extended.

Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the washer, with parts broken away to show interior construction.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view of the bell part of the washer.

Referring more particularly to the drawing:

The numeral 1 indicates the washer bell, which preferably is formed from a suitable metal. A plurality of openings 2 are provided through the bell adjacent the bottom thereof. A hollow handle 2 is secured to the bell 1 or to a tubular extension 3 which rises from the bell and is secured thereto.

A gripping means 4 is provided in the bell 1 and this gripping means comprises a pair of abutting fingers 5, 5, which are preferaby formed of a loop of wire. The wire which forms these fingers, extends upwardly through the hollow handle 2 and forms arms 6, 6. These arms are crossed as shown in Fig. 1, when the fingers are contracted, but when extended the natural outward spring of the arms will uncross them and thus force the fingers outwardly.

The arms 6, 6 are twisted together as at 7- at the top, or are otherwise suitably secured together and a threaded end 8 is provided at the top. A finger button 9 screws on to the end 8 and provides means above the top of the handle '7 whereby the arms 6 and fingers 5 may be depressed to extend said fingers.

A coiled spring 10 is positioned within the handle 2 and bears against the button 9 to normally urge said button upwardly and thus contract the fingers 5. The side pieces 11, 11 of the fingers 5, are so arranged that they will engage the fiare of the bell to limit the upward movement of the fingers; also the fingers 5 are so curved outwardly, as shown in Fig. 2, that they will engage the iare of the bell and will be urged inwardly into contacting or gripping position, as shown in Fig. 1.

In other words, the bell 1 acts as a cam surface to properly guide the fingers into gripping position and this cam surface also acts as a stop to limit the upward movement of the fingers.

Having described my invent-ion, I claim:

1. A gripping clothes washer comprising a bell, a hollow handle secured to the bell and rising therefrom, a pair of fingers each positioned in the bell, said fingers consisting of a loop of spring wire, one end of the wire of said loop extending into the hollow handle and forming an arm, said loop including a horizontal section at the bottom of the loop, the other end of the wire of the loop being returned and bent around the arm, a finger button secured to the uper ends of the arms, a coil spring bearing against said button and handle whereby the arms are urged upwardly, the sides of said lingers being arranged to engage the inner surface of the bell whereby said fingers are cammed inwardly toward each other into engaging position when the arms are moved upwardly, and said arms being crossed in the handle whereby said fingers are urged into extended position when the finger button is depressed.

2. A gripping clothes washer comprising a bell, a hollow handle secured to the bell and rising therefrom, a pair of fingers positioned in the bell, said fingers each consisting of a loop of spring wire, one end of the wire of said loop extending upwardly in the handle from the lingers whereby an arm is formed, said loop including a horizontal section at the bottom of the loop, the other end of the Wire of the loop being returned and bent around the arm, the arms being crossed in the handle to press the fingers against the wall of the bell, said arms being secured together at the upper ends thereof, threads formed on the upper ends of the arms, a

linger button screwed onto said threaded portion, a coil spring bearing against said button and handle, the sides of said lingers being arranged to engage the inner surface of the bell whereby said fingers are cammed inwardly into engaging position, the crossing arms urging the fingers into extended position when the linger button is depressed.

In testimony whereof, I afiix my signature.

HARRY L. WARD. 

